"The Managing Board of the Club were made aware last week of the request from coach Luis Enrique and from the favourable report from the Technical Committee that Arda Turan be brought in to form part of the FC Barcelona squad."

"The Committee has analysed the operation, stating that after negotiations that began months ago, there is an agreement for the signing of the midfielder with Atletico Madrid and with the player himself. Once the reports were studied, the Committee has given the go ahead to the operation."

The interim Managing Committee have limited powers, but have pushed ahead with the transfer, whilst allowing the next president of Barcelona the option to back out of the deal.

As part of the agreement, Barcelona have an option until 20th July to sell Arda Turan back to Atletico Madrid for a fixed fee, should the newly elected president and board wish to pull out of the agreed deal.

The Turkish star has agreed a five-year deal and should the transfer eventually be ratified by the new board, the operation will cost the Catalan giants €34 million plus up to €7 million in variables.

Speculation fuelled by the player himself and his agent, of the 28-year-old having a "dream" to play in the Premier League, sparked rumours that Chelsea and Manchester United in particular were set to swoop.

Both have now missed out, although the Turkish international will have to wait before he sees his first action, due to the FIFA transfer ban imposed on Barcelona, meaning he won't be able to play until January 2016, when the club will be able to register him in the first-team squad.

Heath Chesters

Heath Chesters moved from Spain to England in 2005 and never looked back. Enjoying a Spanish football adventure with Granada CF, he eventually joined the press department at the club. As a La Liga correspondent at HITC Sport, he aims to share his insight and enthusiasm for the game in Spain.